‘They saw Aman and Anupam become heroes’: Shark Tank India’s Gupta says some sharks got FOMO after rejecting early offers to join the show

Entrepreneur and co-founder of the consumer electronics brand boAt, Aman Gupta is someone who is known to speak his mind. As a judge on the hit reality TV show, Shark Tank India, Gupta has been praised for his frank take on India's startup world. Appearing on a podcast recently, Gupta opened up to a lot of things, especially about his experience on Shark Tank India, his relationship with fellow Sharks, and his idea of entrepreneurship in general.

Gupta, who has become one of the most recognisable faces from Shark Tank India, did not hold himself back when it came to talking about his co-panellists on the show.

“I like people who are original. Those whose companies are doing well, and who’ve been authentic from day one,” he said, adding, “Some people have come to the show just to fix their character. That I don’t like.”

Without naming anyone, Gupta hinted at some new Sharks who, he claimed, had initially turned down the offer to be on the show. “Some of the new ones had earlier rejected Shark Tank. But once they saw Aman and Anupam becoming heroes, they developed FOMO and started chasing the opportunity,” he said. “I’m not naming anyone to avoid controversy, but they know who they are.”

Speaking about himself, Gupta revealed that although he has evolved over time, through the course of the show, yet, his character has remained the same.

“If you look at me from Season 1 to Season 4, I’ve evolved, but my character hasn’t changed. I’ve always been the same—love me or hate me, this is who I am.”

He also praised fellow Sharks for their unique personalities, noting how Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar, and Peyush Bansal brought different flavours to the table. “Namita used to say, ‘I’m out because this is not my expertise.’ I used to say, ‘Main bhi kar loonga’ [I’ll do it too]. We all had our own way,” he remarked.

Gupta also spoke about the financial dynamics of the show. While deals on-screen may appear quick and seamless, he said nearly 50% of them don’t go through.

“Many founders come just for the marketing boost. Once the episode airs and their sales spike, they often pull out of the deal,” he explained. “And sometimes, the numbers they pitch on the show just don’t match reality.”

Despite that, Gupta believes Shark Tank India has created massive opportunities.

“Some restaurants I now order from have only one credential—‘Shark Tank fame’—and they’re doing really well. There’s real brand value being built,” he said, citing the example of an ice cream startup from Season 1 that’s now thriving.

Gupta summed up the show's impact in one line: “It’s not just entertainment. It's education, inspiration, and business rolled into one.”